Apparatus for automatically metering milk drawn by a milker

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for automatically metering milk drawn by a milker has a float-type milk meter (1) for metering milk (3) communicating with an evacuated milk pipeline (23) and with an evacuated milk collector (25) which is connected to a vacuum system (27) and to a milk pump (33) which are connected, in turn, to a unit (36) for adjusting the float-type milk meter (1) for milk (3) for an optimum batch of freshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to milkers, and more specifically, it is concernedwith apparatuses for automatically metering milk drawn by a milker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For carrying out an effective and planned conduct of a herd of cows withthe aim of improving milk output, for determining ration and also forcommercial deals with the purchasers, it is necessary to have accurate,reliable and objective information on milk outputs.

The main problem in accurate metering milk at dairy farms is thedisagreement between mathematical and physical models of the process ofmetering of milk output which is caused by differences between ideal andreal operating conditions and by the influence of milk properties onaccuracy of measurements.

In addition, properties of the fluid being measured--milk--are uniqueand feature a large scatter of parameters. Specific features offunctioning and operation of specific types of milkers and milk metersused also have a substantial effect on accuracy of measurement of milkoutputs in milkers so that milk meters should be individually adjustedfor optimum metering during milking by milkers. Conventional techniquesaimed at enhancing accuracy of metering of milk outputs by optimizingdesign of a metering chamber of milk meters based on milk mass metering,milk level or milk volume metering in the metering chamber cannot befurther improved.

Known in the art is an apparatus for automatically metering milk drawnby a milker, comprising a float-type milk meter having an admissionchamber and a metering chamber communicating with each other, a floatlocated in the admission chamber, the float with a valve member beingmounted on one and the same hollow rod having an opening in the upperportion extending outside the admission chamber and an open bottom end,the rod cooperating with a means for recording milk quantity, and themetering chamber of the milk meter communicating with an evacuatedmilker pipeline through an outlet pipe (SU, A, 657260).

In this apparatus, when the metering chamber of the milk meter is filledwith milk during milking, milk is admitted through an opening in apartition from the metering chamber to the admission chamber. As aresult of the rise of milk level in the admission chamber the float withthe rod and valve member surfaces to the filling level of the admissionchamber, and the valve member shuts off the opening of the partition.The upper portion of the hollow rod protrudes outside the admissionchamber, and the metering chamber communicates with atmosphere throughthe opening and the interior space of the rod. Owing to a pressuredifferential, milk is displaced from the metering chamber into theevacuated milk pipeline through the outlet pipe. The rod with the floatand valve member transmits the float rise force to a recording meanswhich records a batch of milk at the upper point of the rod rise and therod then moves down under gravity so that the process of metering andrecording of individual batches can be automatically repeated.

This apparatus works with a large error of metering of individual milkbatches metered by the metering chamber of the milk meter as asubstantial error appears in the measurement of individual batches ofmilk because of a faulty method of contact recording by transmittingmechanical force from the rod after the rise of the float when thechamber is filled up with milk to the milk quantity recording means.

The number of actuations of the valve member provided on the float rodis thus automatically counted, rather than the actual quantity of milkmetered by the metering chamber. The ratio of the number of actuationsof the valve of the milk metering chamber to the number of batches ofthe milk cannot be recorded in this apparatus so that accuracy of thisapparatus is rather low.

Known in the art is an apparatus for automatically metering milk drawnby a milker--electronic milk meter "Surge" designed for automatic dairyfarms controlled by means of an automatic system "Diary Manager",comprising an admission chamber and a metering chamber for milkseparated by a partition, a rod carrying a valve member in the meteringchamber and a float in the admission chamber, and a counter means forrecording milk batches drawn by the milker (Babson Bros. Co. USA."Surge", 1987).

Individual milk batches are recorded by this apparatus also by means ofthe valve member in the metering chamber as it is filled up with milkduring cow milking. The float acts mechanically upon the counter meansof the milk meter thus introducing an error in measurement of individualbatches of milk.

Known in the art is an apparatus for automatically metering milk drawnby a milker, comprising a float-type milk meter having an admissionchamber communicating with an evacuated milk pipeline through an inletpipe, the admission chamber and the metering chamber communicating witheach other communicating through outlet pipes with evacuated milkcollector of the milker which is connected to a vacuum plant of themilker and with a milk pump of the milker, the chambers accommodating ahollow rod having a valve member at the bottom end thereof and a magnetat the upper end thereof cooperating during movement of the rod withhermetically sealed contacts electrically coupled to a digital computerunit for recording quantity of milk drawn by the milker (SU, A,1345059).

This apparatus takes into account properties of the fluid beingmetered--milk--by putting coefficients of correction of readings of themilk meter in the memory of the computer unit in accordance withdeviations of its actual readings from the reference batch of milk drawnby the milker.

As a result, accuracy of determination of quantity of milk in thisapparatus substantially depends on sample size of milked quantity forwhich the apparatus is adjusted. Since the sample size during the realmilking process is always a random value (the total milk output cannotbe determined in advance) an error of readings is caused by thedifference between the results of accurate adjustment of the apparatusfor a preset sample size and the actual sample size of freshly drawnmilk obtained by metering individual batches of milk thus loweringconfidence of metering and accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of providing an apparatus forautomatically metering milk drawn by a milker which has such a means forcontrolling milk metering process which allows optimum capacity of themetering chamber of a float-type milk meter to be digitally simulated inaccordance with physical model under actual operating conditions of theapparatus within the necessary sample size so as to enhance accuracy andconfidence of milk metering results.

This is accomplished by providing in an apparatus for automaticallymetering milk drawn by a milker, a float-type milk meter having anadmission chamber communicating through an inlet pipe with an evacuatedmilk pipeline of the milker, wherein the admission chamber and ametering chamber communicating therewith communicate with an evacuatedmilk collector of the milker connected to a vacuum system of the milkerand to a milk pump of the milker, and a hollow rod acommodated in thechambers having a valve member at the lower end thereof and a magnet atthe upper end thereof cooperating during movement of the rod with ahermetically sealed contact electrically coupled to an electronicdigital computer unit for recording quantity of milk drawn by themilker. According to the invention, there is provided a unit foradjusting the flow-type milk meter for an optimum batch of freshly drawnmilk from a single cow connected to the milk pump.

The unit for adjusting the float-type milk meter for an optimum batch offreshly drawn milk from a single cow preferably comprises a means formeasuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk from a single cowcommunicating with the milk pump through an individual pipeline.

The means for measuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk from asingle cow preferably comprises a trolley carrying a weighing machine, amilk metering vessel communicating with atmosphere and mounted on theweighing machine and a device for discharging freshly drawn milk intothe metering chamber from the individual pipe-line connecting this meansto the milk pump, the device being partly received in the meteringchamber and partly extending outside thereof and rigidly securedthereabove.

The unit for adjusting the float milk meter for an optimum batch offreshly drawn milk from a single cow may also comprise a means forrepeated metering of the reference batches of freshly drawn milk from asingle cow communicating through individual pipelines with the means formetering the reference batch of freshly drawn milk from a single cow,with the evacuated milk pipeline and with the admission chamber of thefloat-type milk meter, respectively.

The means for repeated metering of the reference batches of freshlydrawn milk from a single cow preferably comprises a two-position controlmember provided in the individual pipe-line connecting this means to themeans for metering the reference mass of freshly drawn milk from asingle cow and an intake device for taking freshly drawn milk from themetering chamber of the metering means connected to the pipelineincorporating the two-position control member which is partly receivedin the metering chamber and partly extending outside thereof and rigidlysecured thereabove.

This constuction of the apparatus for automatically metering milk drawnby a milker ensures high accuracy of measurement and confidence ofresults of metering of milk drawn by a milker so as to enhanceefficiency and accuracy of zootechnical, veterinary and selectionoperations in a cow herd, contribute to its enhanced productivity andlower labour effort for operation and metrological control of milkmeters and facilitate commercial dealings between dairy farm personneland purchasers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to a specificembodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing which shows afunctional diagram of an apparatus for automatically metering milk drawnby a milker according to the invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An apparatus for automatically metering milk drawn by a milker accordingto the invention comprises a float-type milk meter 1.

The float-type milk meter 1 comprises a casing 2 to be filled with milk3. The casing 2 has an inlet pipe 4 and two outlet pipes 5 and 6 ofwhich one pipe 5 is rigidly secured to the casing 2 by means of abracket 7. The casing 2 accommodates a hollow rod 8 partly received inthe casing 2 and partly extending outside thereof, having an opening 9in the body thereof for establishing communication of the interior spaceof the rod 8 with atmosphere when the rod is raised to bring the opening9 to a position outside the casing 2. Mounted at the lower end of therod 8 is a valve member 10 immersed in milk 3 and adapted to shut off anopening 11 in a partition 12 dividing the interior space of the casing 2into two communicating chambers: a metering chamber 13 and an admissionchamber 14. The metering chamber 13 is filled up with milk 3 andaccommodates the valve member 10, and the admission chamber 14 is filledwith milk 3 at about one-half of its capacity. The intermediate part ofthe rod 8 located in the admission chamber 14 carries a float 15 with aweight 16. The rod 8 carries at its upper end extending outside theadmission chamber 14 of the casing 2 a magnet 17 secured to a bushing 18which is mounted on the rod 8 for movement therealong by means of ascrew 19.

During movement of the rod 8, the magnet 17 cooperates with ahermetically sealed contact 20 electrically coupled to a digitalelectronic computer unit 21 for recording milk quantity having a controlboard 22.

The inlet pipe 4 of the admission chamber 14 of the casing 2 of the milkmeter 1 is connected to an evacuated milk pipeline 23 of the milker. Theentire milker is not shown in the drawing as it does not have materialbearing on this invention. The drawing shows individual components ofthe milker which are necessary for illustrating links and functions ofthe apparatus according to the invention. Any milker well known to thoseskilled in the art may be used for the purposes of this invention.

The outlet pipes 5 and 6 of the metering chamber 13 and admissionchamber 14 of the casing 2 of the milk meter 1 communicate with an inletpipe 24 of an evacuated milk collector 25 of the milker. The milkcollector 25 communicates through an outlet pipe 26 with a vacuum system27 of the milker. A part of the interior space of the milk collector 25is filled with milk 3. The milk collector 25 accommodates a hollow rod28 made of a nonmagnetic material which accommodates hermetically sealedcontacts 29 and 30 for automatically turning on and off milk flowdirected through a discharge pipe 31 of the milk collector 25 and apipeline 32 to a milk pump 33 as the milk collector 25 is filled withmilk 3 which results in a float 34 carrying a magnet 35 cooperating withthe hermetically sealed contacts 29 and 30 being raised on the rod 28,the hermetically sealed contacts being connected in series in anelectric circuit controlling the milk pump 33.

In this embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention there isprovided a unit 36 for adjusting the float milk meter for an optimumbatch of milk freshly drawn from a single cow connected to the milk pump33.

The adjusting unit 36 comprises a means 37 for measuring the referencebatch of freshly drawn milk from a single cow communicating through anindividual pipeline 38 which is in the form of a flexible hose in thisembodiment with the milk pump 33, and a means 39 for repeatedlymeasuring the reference batches of freshly drawn milk from a single cowcommunicating through individual pipelines 40, 41, 42 with the means formeasuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk from a single cow,with the evacuated milk pipeline 23, and with the admission chamber 14of the float-type milk meter 1, respectively, so as to allow digitalsimulation of optimum batches of milk, repeated recording of milkoutputs and control of their accuracy by evaluating samples ofstatistical observations under actual operating conditions to be carriedout, as well as comparison of results of individual measurements of milkoutputs with one another and with the reference batch of milk drawn froma single cow thus enhancing confidence of the results. In addition, thedigital simulation of optimum batches of milk under actual operatingconditions of the milker makes it possible to take into accountproperties of the fluid being metered--milk--as well in comparison withproperties of the reference batch of freshly drawn milk from a singlecow and to take into account structural features of the milk meter usedby correcting the results.

The means 37 for measuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk froma single cow comprises a trolley 43 carrying a weighing machine 44having an electronic digital indicator 45 of the mass of freshly drawnmilk having a scale division which is maximum 1/6 of the permissibletolerance range of a preset accuracy of measurement of milk quantity (inaccordance with zootechnical, veterinary and selection requirementsimposed upon milk metering). Mounted on the weighing machine 44 is ametering chamber 46 filled with milk 3 and communicating withatmosphere, i.e. open at its end 47.

The means 37 also has a device 48 adapted for discharging freshly drawnmilk into the metering chamber 46 from the pipeline 38 which is partlyreceived in the vessel 46 and partly extends outside thereof.

The means 29 for repeatedly measuring the reference batches of freshlydrawn milk from a single cow comprises a two-position control member 49which is in the form of a valve in this embodiment incorporated in thepipeline 40 and an intake device 50 for taking freshly drawn milk fromthe chamber 46 connected to the pipeline 40 and partly received in themetering chamber 46 and partly extending outside thereof. An end plate51 is provided on the side of the end 47 of the chamber 46 which isspaced therefrom. The devices 48 and 50 which are in the form of tubeswith bevel cuts at the ends thereof extend through the end plate 51. Thedevices 48 and 50 are secured to the end plate 50 by means of nuts 52and 53 and connected to the pipelines 38 and 40, respectively, which arerigidly secured in the immediate vicinity to the zone where they areconnected to the devices 48 and 50 (not shown in the drawing). All thisensures the free position of the devices 48 and 50 in the interior spaceof the metering chamber 46 without a direct contact therewith, thedevice 50 being lowered to the base of the vessel 46 without, however,touching it.

The apparatus for automatically metering milk according to the inventionfunctions in the following manner.

A solid arrow in the accompanying drawing shows the admission of milkand a dotted arrow shows the admissions of air.

Operation of the apparatus for automatically metering milk drawn by amilker consists of two stages: a preliminary stage and the main stage.

During the preliminary stage, the actual process of milking is simulatedfor carrying out the adjustment of the float type milk meter 1 for anoptimum batch in accordance with the reference batch of freshly drawnmilk from a single cow. For that purpose, milk freshly drawn from asingle cow is placed into the metering chamber 46 and weighed on theweighing machine 44, and the value of the reference mass of freshlydrawn milk is recorded by the electronic digital indicator 45 with anaccuracy of at least 1/6 of the permissible tolerance range of a presetaccuracy of metering. The electronic computer unit 21 is then switchedon and the numerical value of the batch of milk 3 in the meteringchamber 13 of the float-type meter 1 is put into the computer unitmemory.

The control member 49 is then turned on, and the interior space of themetering vessel 46 filled with freshly drawn milk 3 is connected to theevacuated milk pipeline 23 of the milker through the individualpipelines 40, 41, 42 and the intake device 50 for taking milk. As aresult of the difference between atmospheric pressure in the meteringchamber 46 and vacuumetric pressure in the evacuated milk pipeline 23 ofthe milker, the freshly drawn milk 3 is transferred from the meteringchamber 46 through the milk intake device 50, individual pipelines 40and 42 into the admission chamber 14 and metering chamber 13 of thefloat-type milk meter 1.

The chambers 13 and 14 are filled with milk 3 at a rate of its supplycorresponding to the actual flow of milk during milking by means of themilker. The desired rate of supply of milk 3 to the milk meter isadjusted for an optimum batches at the stage of simulation andadjustment of the milk meter 1 by means of the control member 49. As thechambers 13 and 14 of the milk meter 1 are filled with milk, the float15 with the rod 8 and weight 16 designed for adjusting buoyancy of thefloat 15 and with the value member 10 and bushing 17 carrying the magnet17 adjustable on the rod 8 by means of the screw 19 is raised. When theadmission chamber 14 of the milk meter 1 is filled at about one-half ofits capacity with milk 3, the valve member 10 shuts off the opening 11of the partition 12.

The opening 9 of the rod 8 is thus moved to a position outside theadmission chamber 14 of the milk meter 1 so that atmospheric pressure ofair through the opening 9 and the interior space of the rod 8 and theopen lower end of the rod 8 displaces a batch of milk 3 from themetering chamber 13 through the outlet pipe 5 of the milk meter 1 andthe inlet pipe 24 into the evacuated milk collector 25. The air, gas andliquid components of freshly drawn milk 3 are thus separated as the airand gas component is removed through the individual pipeline 42, outletpipe 6 of the admission chamber 14 of the milk meter 1, inlet pipe 24 ofthe milk collector 25, and the outlet pipe 26 into the vacuum system 27of the milker.

When the rod 8 reaches the uppermost position in the admission chamber14, the field of the magnet 17 closes the hermetically sealed contact20, and the batch of milk 3 is recorded by the unit 21. The currentresult of addition of individual batches of milk 3 is displayed on thedigital indicator of the unit 21, and the total result of measurement ofthe drawn milk is recorded on a chart paper 54.

After the delivery of the batch of milk 3 and its transfer into the milkcollector 25, the metering chamber 13 of the milk meter 1 is emptied andfilled with air under atmospheric pressure. As a result, the rod 8 movesdown under gravity thereof and of the members carried thereon and underthe action of the pressure differential between the admission chamber 14and metering chamber 13, and the opening 9 of the rod 8 is moved to aposition within the admission chamber 14 so that pressures in thechambers 13 and 14 become equal to each other.

A new batch of freshly drawn milk 3 fills the metering chamber 13, andthe process of metering of individual batches of freshly drawn milk 3 isautomatically repeated until all milk 3 supplied from the meteringchamber 46 passes through the milk meter 1.

When the preliminary stage of metering of individual batches ofreference quantities of freshly drawn milk 3 is over, the readings ofthe electronic digital indicator 45 of the weighing machine 44 arecompared with the readings on the chart paper 54 of the electroniccomputer unit 21 so as to determine on the basis of the differencebetween the readings, an optimum batch of freshly drawn milk metered bythe float milk meter 1.

To ensure the desired sample size in carrying out measurements of thereference batch of freshly drawn milk 3 during the preliminary stage ofadjustment of the milk meter 1 for optimum batches, the abovedescribedoperations are repeated to collect a file of statistical data so as toensure confidence of measurement results obtained at the preliminarystage.

As every cycle of measurement at this stage aimed at determining anoptimum batch for the float-type milk meter 1 is completed the value ofthe batch is gradually revised by means of the electronic computer unit21 and the control board 22 in accordance with built-in programs andcorrection algorithms.

The repeated measurements are carried as follows.

The reference quantity of freshly drawn milk from a single cow iscollected in the evacuated milk collector 25 upon completion of thefirst cycle of measurement of individual batches of milk 3 by means ofthe milk meter 1 as described above. It should be noted that owing tothe provision in the milk collector 25 of the rod 28 of a nonmagneticmaterial which accommodates the hermetically sealed contacts 29, 30, thefloat 34 carrying the magnet 35 reaches the upper filling level of themilk collector 25 of freshly drawn milk 3 from a single cow at which thehermetically sealed contact 29 is located in the rod 28. As a result ofthe action of the field of the magnet 35 upon the hermetically sealedcontact 29, the latter closes the control circuit of the milk pump 33,and milk 3 is fed through the discharge pipe 31 of the milk collector25, pipeline 32, milk pump 33, individual pipeline 38, and dischargedevice 48 into the metering chamber 46 mounted on the weighing machine44 having the electronic digital indicator 45 of the reference mass offreshly drawn milk contained in the metering chamber 46.

The freshly drawn milk 3 is fed from the milk collector 25 continuallyby means of the milk pump 33 until the level of milk 3 in the milkcollector 25 reaches the level of the hermetically sealed contact 30.The field of the magnet 35 acts upon the hermetically sealed contact 30which breakes the control circuit of the milk pump 33, and the cycle isrepeated until the desired sample size is achieved during repeatedmeasurements of the reference mass of freshly drawn milk from a singlecow. A control board 55 having start and stop pushbuttons 56 and 57,respectively, is provided for turning the pump 33 on and off.

The preliminary stage supplies to the electronic computer unit 21optimum confident batches freshly-drawn milk actually metered by thefloat-type milk meter 1, this signal being then put into the memory ofthe unit 21.

The preliminary stage of adjustment of the milk meter 1 for an optimumbatch is completed when the control member 49 shuts off the individualpipeline 40 and the interior spaces of the metering chamber 46 andchambers 14 and 13 of the meter 1 do not communicate with one another.

The main stage of operation of the apparatus for automatically meteringmilk drawn by a milker is completely identical to the preliminary stageof operation of the float-type milk meter 1. The unit 36 for adjustingthe meter 1 for an optimum batch of milk 3 drawn from a single cow doesnot take part in the process as this unit 36 is blocked by the controlmember 49. The weighing machine 44 and the metering chamber 46 areremoved by the trolley 43 to a point outside the working zone of themilk meter 1 for storage until the next adjustment of the float-typemilk meter 1 and repeated measurements. The pipelines 40 and 38 may bedismantled by means of nuts 52 and 53, respectively, for cleaning.

During milking of cows in the main stage operating mode of the milkmeter 1, the individual pipeline 38 is disconnected from the milk pump33, and a pipeline is connected to the pump (not shown) for supplyingthe drawn milk to a cooler or for primary treatment of the milk inaccordance with the procedure adopted at the dairy farm.

The apparatus according to the invention is a representative of a newand promising type of milk output meters of an "intellectual" type whichcan be used with any conventional milker.

The provision of a measuring channel "float-type milk meter--electroniccomputer unit" in the milkers enlarges operating and functionalcapabilities of the apparatus.

The apparatus according to the invention features integrated processesof adjustment, testing and operation of milk meters under actualoperating conditions so as to enhance accuracy of metering of milk atmilkers.

The provision of the adjustment unit in the apparatus according to theinvention makes it possible for the first time to mate mathematical andphysical models of milk metering processes under actual operatingconditions taking into account properties of the fluid being metered andactual functional and technical condition of the milker as to ensurehigh reliability and confidence of metering results.

The apparatus according to the invention is simple in operation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The apparatus for metering milk drawn by a milker may be used in anyconventional milker collecting milk drawn from one cow or from a groupof cows where milk quantity is to be determined. Accurate information onquantity of drawn milk obtained by means of the apparatus according tothe invention may be used in automatic dairy control systems forpreparing rational cow diets in accordance with milk outputs, forplanned zootechnical, veterinary and selection operations aimed atincreasing milk outputs as a result of a more complete utilization ofthe genetic potential of each cow in respect of output. The accuratecontrol of operations with cows is ensured in the apparatus according tothe invention owing to the accurate primary data on milk outputs.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for automatically metering milk drawn by amilker, comprising a float-type milk meter (1) for metering milk (3)having an admission chamber (14) communicating through an inlet pipe (4)with an evacuated milk pipeline (23) of the milker, the admissionchamber (14) and a metering chamber (13) communicating therewithcommunicating through outlet pipes (6, 5) with an evacuated milkcollector (25) of the milker connected to a vacuum system (27) of themilker and with a milk pump (33) of the milker and accommodating ahollow rod (8) carrying a valve member (10) at the lower end thereof anda magnet (17) at the upper end thereof cooperating during movement ofthe rod (8) with a hermetically sealed contact (20) electrically coupledto an electronic digital computer unit (21) for recording a quantity ofmilk (3) drawn by the milker, and a unit (36) for adjusting thefloat-type milk meter (1) for metering milk (3) for an optimum batch offreshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow connected to the milk pump(33).
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit (36) foradjusting the float-type milk meter (1) for metering milk (3) for anoptimum batch of freshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow comprises ameans (37) for measuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk (3)from a single cow which communicates with the milk pump (33) through anindividual pipeline (38).
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe means (37) for measuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milkfrom a single cow comprises a trolley (43) carrying a weighing machine(44), a metering chamber (46) for the milk (3) communicating withatmosphere and mounted on the weighing machine (44), and a device (48)for discharging the freshly drawn milk (3) into the metering chamber(46) from the individual pipeline (38) which connects the means (37) tothe milk pump (33), the discharge device being partly received in themetering chamber (46) and partly extending outside thereof and rigidlysecured thereabove.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theunit (36) for adjusting the float-type milk meter (1) of milk (3) for anoptimum batch of freshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow furthercomprises a means (39) for repeatedly measuring the reference batches offreshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow communicating throughindividual pipelines (40, 41, 42) with the means for measuring thereference mass of freshly drawn milk (3) from a single cow, with theevacuated milk pipeline (23) and with the admission chamber (14) of thefloat-type milk meter (1) for metering milk (3), respectively.
 5. Anapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means (39) for repeatedlymeasuring the reference batches of freshly drawn milk (3) from a singlecow comprises a two-position control member (49) provided in theindividual pipeline (40) connecting the means (39) with the means (37)for measuring the reference mass of freshly drawn milk (3) from a singlecow, and an intake (50) for taking freshly drawn milk (3) from ametering chamber (46) of the measurement means (37) connected to thepipeline (40) incorporating the two-position control member (49), theintake device (50) being partly received in the metering chamber (46)and partly extending outside thereof and rigidly secured thereabove.